David Wright takes next step forward for Mets

One day after hitting his first home run of the spring — a grand slam off Houston Astros starter Livan Hernandez — the New York Mets third baseman played five innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

It was the first and only chance Wright had to play in a day game after a night game this spring.

"I feel good," Wright said. "This was the next step, so check this one off the list."

Wright missed the first three weeks of Grapefruit League play due to a torn rib cage muscle, but said he no longer has any discomfort in the area.

With the start of the regular season less than a week away, the question looming for Wright and the Mets is whether or not he will need extra days off in the early part of the season as he adjusts to playing every day.

"I haven't had that conversation yet, but (Mets manager) Terry (Collins) has always done a good job of having the pulse on the clubhouse. I'm sure that will be something we discuss at some point, but I'm planning on going into the season with the goal of playing every day and not really having any limitations," Wright said. "But the occasional off day doesn't really hurt."

Wright said he will be off Saturday when the Mets travel to Jupiter to play the Miami Marlins, but expects to play in the final four spring games after that.

ROSTER MOVES

The Mets told 41-year-old relief pitcher Miguel Batista that he made the team. Batista had a $100,000 retention bonus in his contract and had to be notified if he made the team Friday or he would have become a free agent. Batista is 0-2 with a 5.59 ERA in 9.2 innings this spring.

Pitcher Chris Schwinden was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

DID YOU KNOW?

St. Louis closer Jason Motte's career took a profound turn due to an injury suffered in Port St. Lucie. As a struggling catcher for the Palm Beach Cardinals in 2005, Motte was asked by the coaching staff if he would consider switching positions. Motte said if his hitting didn't improve, he would try it. Motte's hitting improved until he broke his thumb that season against the St. Lucie Mets. Unable to rebound at the plate, Motte made the change and became a pitcher in 2006. Five years later, Motte was on the mound for the Cardinals when they beat the Texas Rangers in the seventh game of the World Series.

ETC:

--Mets center fielder Andres Torres went 1-for-5 in a minor league game against the Cardinals on Friday. Torres, whose lone hit was a single, did not play in the field.

--Cardinals pitcher Kyle Loshe was hit in the hand by a batted ball in the third inning, but stayed in the game after being looked at by St. Louis trainers.

--Former NFL coach and Miami Dolphins executive Bill Parcells was at Friday's game and spoke with Mets manager Terry Collins during batting practice. Parcells declined to respond when asked about his possible interest in coaching the New Orleans Saints for suspended head coach Sean Payton next season.

FRIDAY'S GAME

Cardinals 4, Mets: Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter each had two hits — including Carpenter's second home run of the spring — to lead the Cardinals past the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Mets starter Dillon Gee allowed four runs on 10 hits in six innings. He struck out three and didn't allow any walks.

Kyle Lohse, who is scheduled to be the Cardinals' starter on Opening Day, allowed just one run and three hits in six innings of work. He also struck out seven.

Vinny Rottino had two hits for the Mets and also drove in a run.

The Mets play the Miami Marlins in Jupiter on Saturday afternoon. Miguel Batista will start for the Mets against Mark Buehrle.